4-Cylinder Engines That Prove You Don’t Need A V8

It turns out there is a replacement for displacement.

Though the era of downsizing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be in the economy stakes, the era of the turbocharger sure has its benefits. Most crucially, the addition of turbos has huge benefits for the torque output of an engine, with power taking a bump beyond its regular potential too. Keith Duckworth – engineer for Cosworth – once said that ”turbochargers are for people who can’t build engines.” Nowadays turbochargers are magical ways of enhancing a great engine and making it better, turning 4-cylinder motors into V8-killers. That’s big talk, and the traditionalists are picking up their torches and pitchforks as I write this, but these 4 cylinder engines prove that statement to be true.

Audi S3 / Audi TT S / VW Golf R

All three of these Volkswagen-family products make use of the same EA888 high-performance 2-liter engine that’s been doing duty since the Mk V Golf GTI. It’s been a tuner's delight since the early days, and with time, engineering has only made it better. In its current incarnation the turbocharged inline-4 boots out 292 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. A 2001 Mustang Bullitt only had outputs of 265hp from its 4.6-liter V8, and the turbo-4 means torque is available freely through the rev-range for improved acceleration. The engine has been proven to exceed 400hp too, in VW’s Golf R400 concept.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Though the Alfa Romeo Giulia is often defined by its 50:50 weight balance, carbon fiber driveshaft, and the M3-baiting Quadrifoglio’s Ferrari-derived 503hp V6 engine, the base models offer some impressive clout too. Powered by a new all-aluminum turbocharged 4-cylinder displacing 2.0-liters, in its highest state of tune the motor sends 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic gearbox. There’s an optional all-wheel-drive system too, which enables a 0-60 mph sprint of quicker than 5 seconds. Chevrolet’s V8-powered Camaro of 1996 had a comparable 285 hp – proving how in just 20 short years the humble 4-cylinder has improved.

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 / GLA 45

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 and GLA 45 have become modern-day halo cars for the diminutive 4-cylinder. Rivaling BMW’s 3.0-liter turbo-6 and Audi’s turbo 5-pot, the AMG 45 range punches way above its weight. With the new ones expected to eclipse 400 hp. Currently, the 2.0-liter unit generates 376 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, nearly matching the outputs of a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E500, despite the latter boasting a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 worth 383 hp. The CLA 45 though is vastly quicker, eclipsing the E500’s 0-60 mph time by more than a full second.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X FQ400

It’s not just modern turbo-4s that provide immense power for their outputs. As far back as the early 2000s the Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Mitsubishi Evo were thumping giant-killers. The biggest giant-killer of them all was the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X FQ400 of 2010, which produced 403 hp and 387 lb-ft, and claimed the 0-60 mph sprint in a supercar-bating 3.8 seconds. A 2010 Mustang GT only had 315 hp and 325lb-ft from its 4.6-liter V8, proving there is a replacement for displacement.

Volvo S60 / V60 Polestar

For decades, Volvo was seen as the brand that epitomized safety, and performance was the last thought in their engineers’ minds. But with Polestar now pursuing electrified performance, it’s a new era for the brand. The Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar models gave us a preview of just what the performance arm could do, taking a 2.0-liter Drive-E four-cylinder engine, equipping it with both a turbocharger and a supercharger, thus giving it 36 2hp and 350 lb-ft – making it more powerful than the original AMG CLA 45, and more powerful than a C5 Corvette.

Honda Civic Type R

What does it take to make a front-wheel-drive hatchback conquer the Nurburgring quicker than a 2004 Ford GT? Well, all it takes is a little boost, and when the Japanese brand finally succumbed to the notion of forced induction it paid dividends. The current FK8 Type R uses a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that generates up to 316 hp in Japan, though US versions only output 306 horses, which is still more than a C4 Corvette, and vastly quicker on the street and around a racetrack.

Ford Focus RS

Though the Ford Mustang EcoBoost might seem the obvious addition to this list, with a turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder rivalling V8’s of old, that engine was developed further for inclusion in the Ford Focus RS – Ford’s mighty all-wheel drive drift-mode enabled super-hatch. Well in the Focus RS, that 2.3-liter generates a mighty 350 hp and equal amounts of torque, 35 hp more than a 2010 Mustang GT and with 25 lb-ft more twist. But the Focus RS also does 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds, quicker than a 2014 Dodge Charger SRT8.

Porsche 718 Cayman / Boxster GTS

The world has rued Porsche’s decision to downsize the Cayman and Boxster to 4-cylinder turbocharged engines – after all, they do sound like hyped up Hoovers more than top-class sports cars. But, the 4-cylinder’s efficacy can’t be denied, and in no place is this on display more than in the 718 Cayman and Boxster GTS models.

The 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4 generates 365 hp and 309 lb-ft. Impressive figures, stronger than many a classic V8, but it’s the performance those figures give that’s most impressive, resulting in a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds – as quick to the mark as a C6 Corvette.

BMW X2 M35i

BMW is on the verge of going front-wheel-drive with a range of its smaller vehicles, as we’ve already seen on the X1 and X2 models. With the change in drivetrain they’ve also given us new engines for the application, including the M35i denomination models with a 2.0-liter turbo-4 worth 302 horsepower and 332 lb-ft – more power than a 2003 BMW 540i which was equipped with a 4.4-liter V8. Less than half the displacement, with more power, a better torque curve, and greater efficiency – welcome to the age of the turbo!

Subaru WRX STI

In 2018, the Subaru WRX STI’s 310 hp is well within the competitive ranks of its class, more than the Golf R and the Civic Type R. But the EJ257 motor at its heart, a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4, has been in the US since 2004 outputting 300 hp – the same as the Ford Mustang of the same year. Paired with all-wheel drive, the WRX STI has consistently punched above its weight, both in a straight line and around the racetrack, proving a 4-pot is more than capable of holding its own against a V8.

Jaguar F-Type 2.0

Though most pine over the Jaguar F-Type’s supercharged 5.0-liter V8, the entry-level 2.0-liter turbo-4 represents the huge potential of the humble 4-cylinder. Part of the brand’s new Ingenium line-up of engines, the modular 4-cylinder is turbocharged to produce 296 hp and 295 lb-ft. 0-60 mph takes 5.4 seconds, only slowed by the F-Type’s relatively heavy weight figure. In Sport mode, the sound system may pipe in false V6 noises, but the performance on offer is all 4-cylinder.

4-Cylinder Engines That Prove You Don’t Need A V8

It turns out there is a replacement for displacement.

Though the era of downsizing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be in the economy stakes, the era of the turbocharger sure has its benefits. Most crucially, the addition of turbos has huge benefits for the torque output of an engine, with power taking a bump beyond its regular potential too. Keith Duckworth – engineer for Cosworth – once said that ”turbochargers are for people who can’t build engines.” Nowadays turbochargers are magical ways of enhancing a great engine and making it better, turning 4-cylinder motors into V8-killers. That’s big talk, and the traditionalists are picking up their torches and pitchforks as I write this, but these 4 cylinder engines prove that statement to be true.

Audi S3 / Audi TT S / VW Golf R

All three of these Volkswagen-family products make use of the same EA888 high-performance 2-liter engine that’s been doing duty since the Mk V Golf GTI. It’s been a tuner's delight since the early days, and with time, engineering has only made it better. In its current incarnation the turbocharged inline-4 boots out 292 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. A 2001 Mustang Bullitt only had outputs of 265hp from its 4.6-liter V8, and the turbo-4 means torque is available freely through the rev-range for improved acceleration. The engine has been proven to exceed 400hp too, in VW’s Golf R400 concept.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Though the Alfa Romeo Giulia is often defined by its 50:50 weight balance, carbon fiber driveshaft, and the M3-baiting Quadrifoglio’s Ferrari-derived 503hp V6 engine, the base models offer some impressive clout too. Powered by a new all-aluminum turbocharged 4-cylinder displacing 2.0-liters, in its highest state of tune the motor sends 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic gearbox. There’s an optional all-wheel-drive system too, which enables a 0-60 mph sprint of quicker than 5 seconds. Chevrolet’s V8-powered Camaro of 1996 had a comparable 285 hp – proving how in just 20 short years the humble 4-cylinder has improved.

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 / GLA 45

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 and GLA 45 have become modern-day halo cars for the diminutive 4-cylinder. Rivaling BMW’s 3.0-liter turbo-6 and Audi’s turbo 5-pot, the AMG 45 range punches way above its weight. With the new ones expected to eclipse 400 hp. Currently, the 2.0-liter unit generates 376 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, nearly matching the outputs of a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E500, despite the latter boasting a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 worth 383 hp. The CLA 45 though is vastly quicker, eclipsing the E500’s 0-60 mph time by more than a full second.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X FQ400

It’s not just modern turbo-4s that provide immense power for their outputs. As far back as the early 2000s the Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Mitsubishi Evo were thumping giant-killers. The biggest giant-killer of them all was the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X FQ400 of 2010, which produced 403 hp and 387 lb-ft, and claimed the 0-60 mph sprint in a supercar-bating 3.8 seconds. A 2010 Mustang GT only had 315 hp and 325lb-ft from its 4.6-liter V8, proving there is a replacement for displacement.

Volvo S60 / V60 Polestar

For decades, Volvo was seen as the brand that epitomized safety, and performance was the last thought in their engineers’ minds. But with Polestar now pursuing electrified performance, it’s a new era for the brand. The Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar models gave us a preview of just what the performance arm could do, taking a 2.0-liter Drive-E four-cylinder engine, equipping it with both a turbocharger and a supercharger, thus giving it 36 2hp and 350 lb-ft – making it more powerful than the original AMG CLA 45, and more powerful than a C5 Corvette.

Honda Civic Type R

What does it take to make a front-wheel-drive hatchback conquer the Nurburgring quicker than a 2004 Ford GT? Well, all it takes is a little boost, and when the Japanese brand finally succumbed to the notion of forced induction it paid dividends. The current FK8 Type R uses a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that generates up to 316 hp in Japan, though US versions only output 306 horses, which is still more than a C4 Corvette, and vastly quicker on the street and around a racetrack.

Ford Focus RS

Though the Ford Mustang EcoBoost might seem the obvious addition to this list, with a turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder rivalling V8’s of old, that engine was developed further for inclusion in the Ford Focus RS – Ford’s mighty all-wheel drive drift-mode enabled super-hatch. Well in the Focus RS, that 2.3-liter generates a mighty 350 hp and equal amounts of torque, 35 hp more than a 2010 Mustang GT and with 25 lb-ft more twist. But the Focus RS also does 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds, quicker than a 2014 Dodge Charger SRT8.

Porsche 718 Cayman / Boxster GTS

The world has rued Porsche’s decision to downsize the Cayman and Boxster to 4-cylinder turbocharged engines – after all, they do sound like hyped up Hoovers more than top-class sports cars. But, the 4-cylinder’s efficacy can’t be denied, and in no place is this on display more than in the 718 Cayman and Boxster GTS models.

The 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4 generates 365 hp and 309 lb-ft. Impressive figures, stronger than many a classic V8, but it’s the performance those figures give that’s most impressive, resulting in a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds – as quick to the mark as a C6 Corvette.

BMW X2 M35i

BMW is on the verge of going front-wheel-drive with a range of its smaller vehicles, as we’ve already seen on the X1 and X2 models. With the change in drivetrain they’ve also given us new engines for the application, including the M35i denomination models with a 2.0-liter turbo-4 worth 302 horsepower and 332 lb-ft – more power than a 2003 BMW 540i which was equipped with a 4.4-liter V8. Less than half the displacement, with more power, a better torque curve, and greater efficiency – welcome to the age of the turbo!

Subaru WRX STI

In 2018, the Subaru WRX STI’s 310 hp is well within the competitive ranks of its class, more than the Golf R and the Civic Type R. But the EJ257 motor at its heart, a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4, has been in the US since 2004 outputting 300 hp – the same as the Ford Mustang of the same year. Paired with all-wheel drive, the WRX STI has consistently punched above its weight, both in a straight line and around the racetrack, proving a 4-pot is more than capable of holding its own against a V8.

Jaguar F-Type 2.0

Though most pine over the Jaguar F-Type’s supercharged 5.0-liter V8, the entry-level 2.0-liter turbo-4 represents the huge potential of the humble 4-cylinder. Part of the brand’s new Ingenium line-up of engines, the modular 4-cylinder is turbocharged to produce 296 hp and 295 lb-ft. 0-60 mph takes 5.4 seconds, only slowed by the F-Type’s relatively heavy weight figure. In Sport mode, the sound system may pipe in false V6 noises, but the performance on offer is all 4-cylinder.

Best V12 Engines Of All Time

When you want the best, only a V12 will do.

It's a curious fact that despite the proliferation of large, wafty cruisers and mega-horsepower sportscars in America, very few locally built ones ever featured a V12 engine. The handful of Packards and Cadillacs that offered such a powerplant were all phased out until after WWII only the Lincoln H-Series V12 remained. Once that went out of production in 1949 the American obsession with the V8 was in full force and today there is not one single American model with a V12 on the roads.

Europe didn’t follow the same path though and there have always been a handful of top-tier luxury and sports cars that had a smooth and silky V12 under their hoods. The Germans, Italians and British have been the most ardent supporters of the V12. Its supreme smoothness is unmatched and while the packaging requirements and construction costs make it unviable in even mid-range models, as a range-topper it is hard to beat. Despite the current downsizing trend, there are still a fair few V12s in production and we picked some of the very best examples. From the high-revving supercars to near silent executive expresses, this is one versatile setup.

Ferrari 250 GTO

Enzo Ferrari realized early on that a V12 engine configuration had some worthwhile benefits over 4 and 8-cylinder alternatives. The Ferrari 125 S of 1947 was the first Prancing Horse to fitted with one, although it displaced a mere 1.5-liters. This ‘Colombo’ V12, named after its designer, was continually developed for decades and in 3.0-liter carburettor form it powered the iconic 1962 250 GTO. This road/race car used the race-proven 250 Testa Rossa all-alloy motor and it pushed out around 300-hp, jaw-dropping power for the time. The Colombo V12 finally bowed out in 1988 by which stage it was fuel-injected and up to 4.9 liters in size.

Ferrari LaFerrari

The LaFerrari features a development of the F140 V12 engine.It has, in various states of tune, powered supercars like the 651-hp Enzo, 661-hp 599 GTO and 789-hp 812 Superfast. In the LaFerrari it displaces 6.3 liters and makes an 812 Superfast equaling 789 hp (although the 812 has a larger 6.5-liter displacement) and also gets electric assistance to offer a combined 950 hp. With the excellent V8 488 GTB moving to turbocharging, we may see the next generation of V12 powered Ferraris going the same route.

Lamborghini Countach

Ferruccio Lamborghini saw that to compete with Ferrari he too would need a powerful V12. Enter Giotto Bizzarrini, an engineer whose V12 powered every top Lambo from 1963 all the way up to 2011, spanning from 3.5 to 6.5-liters and upgraded to multivalve heads, dry sump lubrication and fuel-injection along the way. The Countach is one of the most famous cars to be powered by the Bizzarrini V12, first as a 370-hp 4.0-liter in the LP400 and finally as a 450-hp 5.2-liter multivalve unit in the 25th anniversary edition model. The 661-hp 6.5-liter Murcielago LP 670-4 SV was the last Lambo built that could trace its roots back to this original design.

Lamborghini Aventador

Thanks to the influence of new owners VW, the Murcielago introduced reliability and (nearly) daily usability to the Lamborghini range. Despite some Audi switchgear, the trademark madness remained. It was the Aventador however that introduced the biggest change of all, namely a new V12 engine. Codenamed L539 it still displaced 6.5 liters but now made 690 hp in even ‘base’ trim. The madness was left firmly intact. The nuttiest LP 750-4 SV model offers a staggering 740-hp so it is not totally surprising that Lamborghini has decided to eschew turbocharging for the time being. This one shoots blue flames out of its tailpipes too.

McLaren F1

BMW made its money with bullet-proof four-cylinder and racy inline-six engines but its handful of V12s marked them out as one of the world’s premier engine designers. The McLaren F1 was designed to be the ultimate drivers’ car featuring cutting-edge technology and design. Today it's regarded as one of the most important vehicles of the 20th century. McLaren's first choice was a Honda engine but it was BMW that ended up producing the iconic 627-hp 6.1-liter S70/2 V12. It gave the F1 acceleration that still matches up to many of today’s turbocharged supercars, and at 240 mph it remains the fastest naturally aspirated car ever produced.

BMW 760Li

BMW has also offered V12s in a few of its top luxury models such as the latest 760Li xDrive. The N74B66 twin-turbo 6.6-liter V12 in this car produces 602 hp and a massive 590 lb-ft of torque that makes it one of the fastest BMW’s on the road today. Variations of this engine are also found in the Rolls-Royce Ghost where they are profiled to produce effortless torque. The previous non-turbo N73 version also did duty in the Rolls-Royce Phantom as well as the previous-generation 7 Series. Such cross-pollination is not uncommon as developing a V12 from scratch is an extremely costly endeavor.

Mercedes S-Class

Mercedes-Benz returned to V12 road car engines in the early 1990s to ensure that rivals BMW didn’t encroach too far into its traditional ultra-luxury territory. The S-Class first got a V12 engine in 1992, this M120 unit displaced 6.0 liters and made a formidable 402 hp. The latest V12 is the M279 AMG unit, which displaces 5.5 liters and uses two turbochargers to produce 621 hp and a gargantuan 740 lb-ft of torque. Aside from powering the S65 AMG, it is also found in the Maybach S650 and SL65 AMG models.

Pagani Zonda

Pagani disrupted the supercar scene when it unleashed the exquisite Zonda in 1999. While its carbon-fiber construction was all new, the 389-hp 6.0-liter V12 that powered it was a development of the Mercedes M120 unit. This engine was also used in the Mercedes CLK GTR road and a few race cars too. The Zonda R Evolution track day car featured the ultimate version of this engine with an output of 800 hp. Road variants included the 547-hp 7.3-liter Zonda S and 602-hp Zonda F. The latest Huayra now uses a twin-turbo Mercedes-derived V12 but the original Zonda still looks and sounds like nothing else on the road.

Jaguar E-Type

The British motor industry was once a force to be reckoned with. The Jaguar E-Type was, along with the Aston Martin DB5, one of its crowning achievements. The original 1961 E-Type had a 3.8-liter inline-six but by the time the Series III models arrived in 1971 this had swelled to a 5.3-liter V12. The engine remained in production until 1997 but in this original form it made 250 hp. The additional weight and complexity over the inline-six variants made them hardly any quicker but there was not much out at the time that could offer a smoother drive. The final development was a 6.0-liter V12 which saw duty in the ‘90s XJS and made up to 318 hp.

Aston Martin One-77

The DB7 was a stunning car but the company’s troubled financial status meant that it was built on a modified Jaguar XJS platform and its AE28 V12 was actually a pair of modified Ford V6 units. It still drove and performed like a thoroughbred and the 450-hp 5.9-liter engine was continually developed and refined. The very limited-edition One-77 was perhaps the ultimate iteration, producing 750 hp from 7.3 liters. The latest generation of range-topping Astons now use a new AE31 twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12. The N/A V12 lives on for a while longer in the track-only Valkyrie which has its own KERS assisted 1,130-hp 6.5-liter Cosworth developed V12.

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Aston Martin Will Not Have Engines Smaller Than V8s

Though there is a historical precedent for Aston Martin six-cylinders.

Only a few years ago Aston Martin was still using its famed naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 and 4.7-liter V8 engines in the DB9 and Vantage, respectively. Today, however, the UK automaker has downsized. In place of those engines are a new twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 in the DB11 and an AMG-developed twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 in the just launched all-new Vantage. Will this engine downsizing trend continue? Australia’s Motoring recently spoke with one of Aston Martin’s top engineers, Matt Becker, and he confirmed six-cylinder engines are not happening.

He admitted he sampled Mercedes AMG’s new mild hybrid turbo six in the new CLS 53 AMG and was rather impressed, but there’s a problem with it: “To be honest I don’t know whether the engine would fit (in our cars),” he said. Remember, Aston Martin’s partnership with Daimler-Benz is not solely limited to that new V8, as the German automaker is set to offer its assistance with additional technologies as well. Previously, Becker believes six-cylinder engine rumors got started because he was misquoted by another publication at Geneva earlier this month. “I was speaking in more general terms that we might have to one day look at downsizing engines,” he clarified.

It’s also worth mentioning that Aston Martin has a history with six-cylinder engines, most recently the 1994 DB7 and its 3.2-liter inline-six (it was later replaced by a V12 in 1999). So there is historical precedent Aston Martin can refer to if it decides to downsize engines even further. But for now, it’s not happening.

11 Best V10 Engines Ever Made

Possessing a unique character, the V10 is a rare and exotic powerplant.

The V10 engine is a rare beast, the configuration more complex than a V8 and not as smooth as a V12, but it does have its benefits and has powered some truly iconic cars. Their relative compactness compared to inline six-cylinder and V12 engines is a plus point, and they can also rev higher than similar capacity engines with fewer cylinders, which makes them ideal for the tight confines of a mid-engined supercar where a V12 may be too tight a fit.

The unique nature of this layout also gives the V10 a sound unlike anything else on the road, a sound so distinctive that you can tell what it is from a mile away. The costs associated with developing and building a V10 powerplant may be slightly less than a V12, but it is still an expensive way to go about things. This means that you won’t be finding any in budget sedans or hatchbacks. Not to worry though, aside from our selection of awesome supercars we do have one alternative that may just be within reach, but you may still need to approach with caution.

BMW M5 (E60)

The BMW M5 introduced us to the concept of the super sedan in 1985 and it has ruled the segment ever since. Those early cars had a 252-hp 3.5-liter inline-six (European versions had an M-derived 286-hp unit) but the 2005 E60 M5 was arguably even more special. The Motorsport division designed a bespoke 500-hp 5.0-liter V10 that could rev to 8,250 rpm and behaved more like a racing engine than one intended for a family sedan. This time around U.S. customers got a better deal than the Europeans, because a limited number of manual transmission models were made just for us.

Audi RS6

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the VW Group have been responsible for more V10-powered road cars than any other company. The second-generation Audi RS6 had a 5.0-liter V10, and with the aid of two turbos pumped out a properly mental 579 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. This made it more powerful than most supercars, let alone the naturally aspirated BMW M5 contemporary. It was never officially offered here but we did get access to a lot of other desirable V10 Audis.

Audi S6

The 444-hp 5.2-liter S6 was one of them. Despite rumors that the engine was out of the Gallardo, there were only superficial similarities between the two engines. Nevertheless, this third-generation S6 was a rapid machine and its demure exterior styling made it the ideal super sleeper sedan. The V10 was eventually dropped in favor of a more efficient and more powerful 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, losing some of that exotic character in the process.

Audi R8/Huracan/Gallardo

Now an Audi that has shared its engine with a Lamborghini is the R8 V10. First generation versions used a 5.2-liter FSI unit that was based on the Gallardo LP560-4, although in this application it made 525 hp instead of 552. This trend carried over to the latest versions where the 602-hp V10 Plus R8 trails the latest Lamborghini Huracan LP640-4 Performante by 38 hp. Now, don’t for a moment think that this makes any V10 R8 a slow poke, though, as even the base 540-hp model is a ballistic sports car.

Porsche Carrera GT

Arguably the most desirable and certainly one of the best-sounding V10 supercars ever made must be the Porsche Carrera GT. It earned a reputation for slightly tricky handling; few readers here will forget the sad fate of Paul Walker. But, equipped with modern tires it is far more biddable than it used to be and that amazing 603-hp 5.7-liter V10 and birchwood covered manual shifter can no doubt keep you entertained for hours. A mere 1,270 were built and prices are now heading to ludicrous levels.

Lexus LFA

The LFA is one of the very few Japanese supercars out there, and it took over a decade of development to get it right, including a full redesign before it eventually saw light of day in late 2010. The end result was worth the wait, though. Aside from the advanced carbon-fiber reinforced polymer body and superb chassis, the 552-hp 4.8-liter V10 gave it a unique character. From a distance it sounded like a ‘90s F1 car, high-pitched and guttural. The very limited production run of 500 ended in 2012 with no immediate plans to build a replacement.

Dodge Viper

Americans take a slightly different approach to the whole V10 thing, and the Dodge Viper waded into the supercar segment in 1991 with a massive low-revving 8.0-liter V10. It may have offered only 400 hp but that large capacity meant that unlike most of the highly strung exotics around at the time, its huge 465 lb-ft of torque was always on call. It proved to be a monstrous straight-line car and subsequent generations have become formidable track weapons too. The ACR (American Club Racer) spec added even more handling ability and the latest versions have even larger 8.4-liter motors producing over 650 hp.

Dodge RAM SRT-10

The Dodge RAM SRT-10 was as American as, well, a Dodge RAM SRT-10. It combined a 500-hp 8.3-liter Viper V10 engine in a Ram pickup truck, creating the most ridiculous and desirable performance truck around. Its acceleration capabilities were up there with contemporary performance cars and with less than 10,000 produced over two years, they are rather rare too. With a top speed of 154 mph and a 0-60 time of just 4.9 seconds it was the fastest truck you could buy.

VW Phaeton and Touareg V10 TDI

Now we come to the part where we tell you about the ‘affordable’ V10s you can buy today. The first is the VW Phaeton. It was an attempt by Volkswagen to take on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Lexus LS at its own game but things didn’t quite turn out so well. Sales were slow and while we didn’t get the 309-hp V10 turbodiesel, the gas-powered models we did get can now be picked up for peanuts. The Touareg however, which had the same V10 diesel engine was sold in the U.S. for a limited time. It was astonishingly quick and seriously unreliable, so buy a used one at your peril.

V10s in Motorsport

Let’s end on a happier note for the rare but desirable V10. It may have been a temperamental and scarily expensive solution in certain road cars but in the realm of top-tier motor racing the focus is on ultimate performance and unlimited budgets, an area where V10s thrive. The Audi R10 TDI was the first ever diesel-powered race car to win Le Mans back in 2006 and then carried on winning for four more years. Although the R10 was a V12, the R15 that followed it had a mid-mounted turbodiesel V10 that produced up to 590 hp. While not quite as dominant as its predecessor, it still amassed a series of impressive results.

Formula 1

Some of the fiercest and most competitive racing in Formula 1 history took place during the ‘80s and ‘90s. The 3.5-liter V10 engine was the configuration most teams changed to once the crazy turbo era had come to an end in 1988, but the speeds only got quicker. The best engines could produce over 800 hp, rev to almost 16,000 rpm, and sounded absolutely mental too. V10s were once again in vogue between 2000 and 2005 and even with a reduced 3.0-liter capacity made over 900 hp. Today’s 1.6-liter turbocharged V6s may make similar power but they sure have lost some of that V10 magic in the downsizing process.